Tim Sylvia No Longer Expected To Fight at UFC 74

One of the longest rumored fighters expected to fight at UFC 74 was Tim Sylvia but it now appears that the former UFC heavyweight champion will not be back fighting until October at the earliest. Here is the quick note Sylvia posted on his website:

I’m back in training and things are looking good. Hoping to get back in the ring in October.

Sylvia was one of many top UFC fighters upset so far this year when he was defeated in a 5 round unanimous decision match against Randy Couture. Following the dominating loss Sylvia underwent back surgery to repair a previous injury. In June Sylvia announced that he would soon be able to return to working out with the hopes of returning to the UFC this fall.

In May rumors surfaced that Sylvia would likely be returning in late August at UFC 74 to face fellow-former champion Frank Mir but the match was publicly criticized and nearly denied. All of the talk about the fight means very little now as Sylvia is still rehabbing his back and will not be ready to return until October likely at UFC 77 in Montreal or UFC 78 in Cincinnati.